Vacuum attachment for drilling tool

ABSTRACT

A vacuum attachment for a drilling tool which is characterized by a typically transparent enclosure or canister, or a canister having a window therein, with a gasket having a gasket opening provided on the bottom of the canister for sealing the chuck of a drilling tool. An opening is provided on the opposite, or top end of the canister from the gasket opening to facilitate insertion of the drill bit through the gasket opening, into the canister and through the top end opening to a panel or surface to be drilled, as the drill chuck rotatably operates in the gasket opening. The top end opening of the canister is pressed against the panel or surface and the canister is attached to a vacuum device by means of a vacuum hose to facilitate removal of drilling debris, particles and dust from the interior of the canister simultaneously with operation of the drilling tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference prior filed copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/484,249, filed Jul. 3, 2003.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to drilling tools and more particularly, to a vacuum attachment for a drilling tool, which vacuum attachment is designed to trap drilling debris, particles and drilling dust and remove this material by means of a vacuum apparatus. In a preferred embodiment the vacuum attachment is characterized by an enclosure or canister which is either transparent or has a window therein for viewing the interior, with a gasket provided on the bottom end. The gasket has a gasket opening for receiving the drill bit and accommodating and sealing the drill chuck of a drilling tool. The top of the canister is typically provided with a lip that defines a lip opening and a perimeter seal ring is fitted to the lip to removably seat and seal the canister against a wall, ceiling, floor or other panel or surface to be drilled. Accordingly, the drill bit in the drilling tool is inserted through the gasket opening in the gasket and the interior of the canister and through the lip opening and the perimeter seal ring to the panel or surface, as the drill chuck enters and rotates in the gasket opening. When the perimeter seal ring is pressed against the panel or surface to be drilled, particles or debris, including drilling dust, removed responsive to the drill bit entry into the panel or surface, fall into the interior of the canister. Furthermore, a vacuum hose, attached to the canister and to a vacuum apparatus, removes the particles and drilling dust to facilitate a substantially particle and dust-free environment while operating the drilling tool. In another preferred embodiment of the invention a vacuum hose mount or nipple is provided in the canister for attachment to the vacuum hose and the transparent canister wall or window located in the canister wall facilitates observation of the canister contents to coordinate the pace of the drilling operation and the volume of particles and drilling dust removed from the panel or surface, with the rate of removal of these particles and dust by the vacuum apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the vacuum attachment of this invention, illustrating an electric drill having a chuck and bit (illustrated in phantom) disposed in drilling configuration, with the vacuum attachment connected to the canister and a vacuum apparatus for removing drilling particles accumulating in the canister;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the vacuum attachment illustrated in FIG. 1, more particularly illustrating the gasket and gasket opening, as well as the perimeter seal ring for sealing the drill chuck and the top of the canister against the panel or surface to be drilled, respectively;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the vacuum attachment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, more particularly illustrating a typical perimeter seal which is fitted to the canister lip of the canister;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vacuum attachment illustrated in FIG. 3, more particularly illustrating the perimeter seal ring attached to the canister lip; and

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of the vacuum attachment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, more particularly illustrating a typical gasket and gasket keeper for removably closing the open bottom end of the canister and orienting the gasket opening for receiving the drill bit and drill chuck illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings the vacuum attachment of this invention is generally illustrated by reference numeral 1. In a preferred embodiment the vacuum attachment 1 is characterized by a container or canister 2 of selected size and shape, which is typically transparent or fitted with a window for viewing the contents, typically drilling particles and dust 22 (FIG. 1). The canister 2 typically further includes a canister lip 2 a and lip opening 2 b on the top end thereof (FIG. 3) and a resilient perimeter seal ring 8, designed to permanently or removably fit on the canister lip 2 a for removably sealing the canister 2 against a surface or panel 23, illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1. The opposite bottom and typically larger, open end of the canister 2 (FIG. 5), is fitted with a typically resilient gasket 3, having a gasket flange 3 b, a gasket bottom 3 c and a gasket opening 4 in the gasket bottom 3 c, for snugly receiving the drill chuck 16, carrying a bit 17 in the electric drill 15, also illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, when the vacuum attachment 1 is in functional, drilling configuration the drill bit 17 and the drill chuck 16 are inserted into the gasket opening 4 such that the drill chuck 16 rotatably and snugly engages the gasket 3 around the perimeter of the gasket opening 4. Furthermore, the extending drilling end of the drill bit 17 extends through the lip opening 2 b of the canister lip 2 a and the perimeter seal ring 8 and engages the panel 23 for drilling purposes.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 of the drawings a vacuum hose mount or nipple 5, having a nipple bore 6 (FIG. 5) that communicates with the interior of the canister 2, is provided in the wall of the canister 2 for receiving the mount nipple end 11 of a flexible vacuum hose 10. The opposite, or vacuum apparatus end 12 of the vacuum hose 10 is attached to a vacuum device or apparatus 13 of conventional design, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, referring again to FIG. 1, when the vacuum attachment 1 is in the operational mode illustrated therein, the trigger 19 of the electric drill 15 is depressed and power is supplied to the motor (not illustrated), typically by operation of the battery pack 18, while the handle 20 is grasped to maintain the extending cutting end of the drill bit 17 against the panel 23, and as the perimeter seal ring 8 is pressed against the panel 23. Rotation of the drill bit 17 responsive to operation of the electric drill 15 thus drills a hole in the panel 23 and the drilling particles and dust 22 removed by the drill bit 17 fall through the perimeter seal ring 8 and the lip opening 2 b (FIG. 3) and into the canister 2 and are removed through the vacuum hose mount 5 and vacuum hose 10 by operation of the vacuum apparatus 13. Since the canister 2 is either transparent or provided with a transparent window, the contents of the canister 2 are easily observed and the operator of the electric drill 15 is able to maintain a drilling speed consistent with the capacity of the vacuum apparatus 13 to remove the drilling particles and dust 22 that fall into the canister 2.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3-5 of the drawings in a preferred embodiment of the invention the removable resilient perimeter seal ring 8 fits either removably or fixedly on the canister lip 2 a, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, to facilitate a tight seal between the canister 2 and the panel 23 during the drilling operation illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, in a most preferred embodiment of the invention the perimeter seal ring 8 is characterized by a resilient material such as rubber or plastic, that is able to tightly fit against the panel 23 and effect an essentially particle and dust-free drilling of the drill bit 17 through the panel 23 to contain essentially all of the drilling particles and dust 22 from the panel 23 in the canister 2. As heretofore described and as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, in another preferred embodiment of the invention the typically rubber or plastic gasket 3 is preferably characterized by a cup-shaped design having a gasket opening 4 in the gasket bottom 3 c thereof and adapted to receive a typically rubber or plastic gasket keeper 3 a which fits snugly over the gasket flange 3 b of the gasket 3 to removably seat the gasket 3 on the open end of the canister 2. Alternatively, the gasket flange 3 b may be constructed slightly undersized with respect to the bottom end of the canister 2 to facilitate a friction-fit of the gasket 3 on the canister without the use of the gasket keeper 3 a. Furthermore, as further illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings the vacuum hose nipple 5 is typically molded integrally with, or may be secured in an opening (not illustrated) in the wall of the canister 2 and is also sufficiently sized, along with the vacuum hose 10, to facilitate a friction fit between the mount nipple end 11 of the vacuum hose 10 on the vacuum hose nipple 5.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the vacuum attachment 1 of this invention is easily utilized as illustrated in FIG. 1 and as heretofore described, to facilitate the removal of bits and pieces, including drilling dust, identified as drilling particles and dust 22, from the panel 23 that are removed by the drill bit 17, mounted in the drill chuck 16 of the electric drill 15. The rate of removal of these drilling particles and dust 22 from the panel 23 by the vacuum apparatus 13 is a function of the design of the drill bit 17, the material of construction and composition of the panel 23, the size of the canister 2 and the pressure exerted on the electric drill 15 at the handle 20 during the drilling operation. On any selected project, the rate of removal of these drilling particles and dust 22 can therefore be controlled by adjusting the pressure exerted on the handle 20 of the electric drill 15. Accordingly, the operator can control the rate of ejection of the drilling particles and dust 22 from the panel 23 and the drill bit 17 into the canister 2, so as not to overload the vacuum apparatus 13 as the drilling particles and dust 22 are removed by vacuum through the vacuum hose nipple 5 and the vacuum hose 10. Generally, under normal circumstances, the drilling operation can proceed in as rapid fashion as desired, since the vacuum apparatus 13 and the vacuum hose 10 will usually be sufficiently sized to remove the drilling particles and dust 22 from the canister 2 as fast as they are deposited therein by the rotating drill bit 17.

It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the panel 23 can be any panel or surface, typically located overhead in a ceiling or in a wall or floor, in non-exclusive particular, and during the drilling operation the resilient perimeter seal ring 8 is maintained in close contact with the panel 23 to minimize the escape from the canister 2 of drilling particles and dust 22 ejected from the drill bit 17. Resiliency in the perimeter seal ring 8 is preferred, to allow for variations in the ideal perpendicular orientation of the drill bit 17 with respect to the panel 23 and thus, to maintain a uniformly tight seal against the panel 23. Furthermore, the rotating drill chuck 16 fits in the gasket open 4 of the gasket 3 in such a snug manner that the gasket 3 seals the rotating drill chuck 16 to facilitate entrapment of the vast majority of drilling particles and dust 22 inside the canister 2. Moreover, the negative air pressure applied to the interior of the canister 2 by the vacuum apparatus 13 through the vacuum hose 10 and the vacuum hose nipple 5, further serves to remove the drilling particles and dust 22 from the canister 2 through the vacuum hose 10 and into the vacuum apparatus 13, rather than allowing these particles to escape from the canister 2, either from the gasket opening 4 interface with the drill chuck 16 or the perimeter seal ring 8 interface with the panel 23.

It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that as heretofore described, the gasket 3 for sealing on the bottom end of the canister 2 may be constructed in any desired manner, but is preferably constructed with the gasket flange 3 b extending from the gasket bottom 3 c, to facilitate removable mounting of the gasket 3 on the bottom or large end of the canister 2, either using the gasket ring or keeper 3 a, as illustrated in FIG. 5, or in a friction-fit. In this manner the gasket 3 can be replaced as the gasket opening 4 becomes enlarged or deformed due to friction from rotation of the drill chuck 16 over time, in order to maintain a close sealing fit between the drill chuck 16 and the gasket 3 at the gasket opening 4. It is also understood that the gasket 3 may be constructed of materials other than rubber, including a plastic of suitable composition and resiliency, or the like, known to those skilled in the art, as heretofore described.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the vacuum attachment 1 can be utilized with substantially any drilling tool, including an electric drill 15 as illustrated, or other drilling tool or implement, including smaller “Dremel” (trademark) tools and the like, in non-exclusive particular. A primary consideration in the design and utilization of the vacuum attachment 1 with an electric drill 15 or the equivalent, is the size of the canister 2 and the length of the drill bit 17, which must be sufficiently long to extend through the interior of the canister 2 and the lip opening 2 b of the canister lip 2 a, in order to contact and drill into the panel 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Moreover, while the canister 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings is illustrated as transparent, it will be further appreciated that one or more windows (not illustrated) may be provided in an otherwise translucent or opaque canister 2, to facilitate observing the accumulation of drilling particles and dust 22 inside the canister 2 resulting from penetration of the drill bit 17 and the removal of this debris through the vacuum hose 10 and into the vacuum apparatus 13. It is further understood that a vacuum apparatus 13 of any suitable design may be utilized with the vacuum attachment 1, the only requirement being that the vacuum apparatus 13 create a sufficient suction to form a vacuum in the canister 2 that will adequately remove the drilling particles and dust 22 from the canister 2 as they accumulate from the panel 23 during operation of the electric drill 15.

It is also understood that the canister 2 may be of any selected size and shape, although a cylindrical design having an inwardly-tapering upper surface to shape the canister lip 2 a, as indicated in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, is preferred. This design facilitates a gasket sufficiently large to accommodate a drill chuck 16 in the gasket opening 4 and a canister lip opening 2 b which is sufficiently large to accommodate a drill bit 17, but sufficiently small to minimize the peripheral surface area around the lip opening 2 b and thus, the perimeter for escape of the drilling particles and dust 22. Another option for fitting the mount nipple end 11 of the vacuum hose 10 on the vacuum hose mount 5 is a bayonet coupling or other coupling known to those skilled in the art, for quickly and easily attaching and detaching the vacuum hose 10 to and from the vacuum hose mount 5.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A vacuum attachment for receiving a drilling tool having a chuck and a drill bit clamped in the chuck for drilling into a surface and collecting drilling particles, said vacuum attachment comprising a canister for receiving the drilling particles, said canister having a top end and a bottom end; a gasket carried by said bottom end of said canister, said gasket adapted for engagement with the chuck on the drilling tool and sealing the drilling particles in said canister when the drill bit is extended through said top end of said canister to the surface and said top end is pressed against the surface; and a vacuum opening provided in said canister for applying a vacuum to said canister and removing the drilling particles from said canister.
 2. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 comprising a perimeter seal provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing said canister against the surface.
 3. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 comprising a vacuum nipple provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
 4. The vacuum attachment of claim 3 comprising a perimeter seal provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing said canister against the surface.
 5. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said canister is transparent.
 6. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 wherein said top end is smaller than said bottom end of said canister and comprising a perimeter seal provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing said canister against the surface.
 7. The vacuum attachment of claim 6 comprising a vacuum nipple provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
 8. The vacuum attachment of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of said canister is transparent.
 9. The vacuum attachment of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of said canister is transparent and comprising a vacuum nipple provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
 10. The vacuum attachment of claim 1 comprising an opening provided in said gasket for receiving the chuck and removably sealing the chuck therein.
 11. The vacuum attachment of claim 10 comprising a perimeter seal provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing said canister against the surface
 12. The vacuum attachment of claim 11 comprising a vacuum nipple provided in said vacuum opening for receiving a vacuum hose connected to a vacuum device and applying the vacuum to said canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
 13. The vacuum attachment of claim 12 wherein said top end is smaller than said bottom end of said canister and at least a portion of said canister is transparent.
 14. A vacuum attachment for engaging a surface and receiving a drilling tool having a chuck and a drill bit and collecting drilling particles from the drill bit and the drilled surface, said vacuum attachment comprising a canister for receiving the drilling particles, said canister having an open bottom end; a gasket carried by said open bottom end of said canister and a gasket opening provided in said gasket, said gasket opening fitted for sealing engagement with the chuck on the drilling tool and sealing the drilling particles in said canister; an open top end provided in said canister for receiving the drill bit; and a vacuum nipple provided in said canister for receiving a vacuum hose and applying a vacuum to said canister and removing the drilling particles from said canister.
 15. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 comprising a perimeter seal provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing said canister against the surface.
 16. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of said canister is transparent.
 17. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 comprising a perimeter seal provided on said top end of said canister for removably sealing said canister against the surface and wherein at least a portion of said canister is transparent.
 18. The vacuum attachment of claim 14 wherein said top end is smaller than said bottom end of said canister.
 19. A vacuum attachment for removably engaging a surface to be drilled and receiving a drilling tool having a chuck and a drill bit and collecting drilling particles from the drill bit and the drilled surface, said vacuum attachment comprising a canister for receiving the drilling particles, said canister having an open top end for accommodating the bit, a perimeter seal provided on said open top end for removably sealing said top end against the surface and an open bottom end; a gasket carried by said open bottom end of said canister and a gasket opening provided in said gasket, said gasket opening sized for sealing engagement with the chuck on the drilling tool and sealing the drilling particles in said canister; and a vacuum hose communicating with said canister and connected to a vacuum device for applying a vacuum to said canister and removing the drilling particles from said canister responsive to operation of the vacuum device.
 20. The vacuum attachment of claim 18 wherein at least a portion of said canister is transparent. 